According to an AFP report, Russian Ambassador Igor Gromyko has handed over a program of 8 fighter jets and two helicopters. Russia handed over this deadly weapon to the military ruler of Mali, Colonel Assimi Goita. The L-39 aircraft were initially built for training purposes. Now it is also being used to attack the enemy. Mali has also been given a Soviet-designed Mi-8 transport helicopter. With the help of this helicopter, not only can the soldiers be taken, but it can also be attacked on the ground by installing a machine gun on it.
Putin’s private army is helping
Malian officials did not say how many weapons they had received from Russia. He claimed that he had bought these weapons. He did not say how much money has been given. Earlier in March and August 2022, Russia had supplied deadly weapons to Mali. The West African country is battling the Mali jihadists. Apart from this, political and humanitarian crisis is going on since 2012. After the coup in the year 2020, the current military government is running there.
This new government had severed ties with its former colonial ruler, France. After this, Russia jumped into Mali and started providing arms to the military government. Multiple sources said the military junta would start calling Wagner’s paramilitary forces, dubbed Russian President Putin’s private army, into their country in 2021. It was criticized by many countries. The rulers of Mali have denied this allegation.
